Cry Patriot, Yet Again

Harlingen, Texas, November 26, 2007: Three years ago I opened a commentary on being a patriot with the following quote, “One who loves his country and zealously supports its authority and interests.” These were not my words.  They are the words used to define the meaning of “Patriot” in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.  If we are to accept Webster as a defining source, then I would argue that many in politics can no longer wave the banner of patriot while they spew out hate filled rhetoric against the national interest and ignore the Constitution, which is the heart of our national authority.

It can be strongly argued that 535 members of the United States Congress are solidly “Non-Patriots”.  Their self-serving, elitist actions and the vile words that spew forth on both sides of the congressional assembly prove repeatedly that they no longer are representatives of the people.

Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and their assorted lackeys lead the pack with their anti war, anti troop rhetoric.  This band of self serving elected elite, along with their ragtag supporters from Code Pink and MoveOn.org have been branded as traitors by many who lean more in the direction of the political right.  Of course, if one would examine the Constitution in more detail, it could be seen that charging these people with committing treason would be difficult, because along with its many other failings, Congress has refused to declare our worldwide battle against Terror and radical Islamists a “war”. Constitutionally, it only takes two people to charge another with treason.  However, the act or acts must have taken place during time of war. Since congress no longer declares war, the rationale is no member can be a traitor.

So, what about those who have stained the GOP banner?  With the long list of criminal charges on everything from accepting bribes to sex offenses, they are not exempt from scrutiny. They also joined Democrats is draining off billions of public dollars for special interest earmarks.

Those who claim to uphold Republican principles have nothing they can highlight as their contribution toward enhancing conservative values.  Added to their unacceptable acts, we had a Republican controlled Congress that went on a spending rampage that made the Democrats appear to be tight fisted with the American dollar.  Today, after being relegated to the Minority due to their own neglect, they are fleeing Washington with their tails between their legs.

The Democrats also share a large portion of congressional guilt.  They returned to power claiming they would run the most ethical and open Congress in history.  They were also going to end the war. Now as they close out their first year in control, they have proven themselves to be out and out frauds when it comes to keeping campaign promises. Ethics is a forgotten word and openness has failed to materialize. They have also done nothing to end the war and have gone out of their way to denigrate and demoralize our troops.  Interestingly, they have done all this while crying out they are patriots. 

It could well be argued that few, if any of the Washington in-crowd should bear the title “Patriot”.  In fact, those few who remain unblemished should be marked with the shame of the entire 535 congressional members, because they failed to speak out forcefully against the misdeeds of their fellow members.

Is all lost for the citizenry of this country?  Not yet, but we are on a well-greased slide toward losing everything that made America great. The secular left now claims that half of the country no longer practices religion.  God has been banished from our schools. The Gay agenda is being force fed to everyone through newspapers, movies and television.  The ACLU, MoveOn.org, Code Pink and a hodge-podge of the radical left continue to practice their Taliban-like tactics to make America accept their distorted beliefs.  There is still a move to tarnish Christmas. Activist judges keep legislating from the bench and the Pork Patrol keeps feeding from the public plate while failing to accomplish anything they were elected to enact.  And they all do this crying out again and again that they are patriots.

There are a number of grass-roots organizations starting to fight back, such as Eagles UP! This primarily veteran group was part of the force that brought out more than 30,000 patriotic counter-protesters in Washington D.C. on March 17, 2007. This day the Americans in support of our troops outnumbered the anti-war protesters 6 to 1.

Since that one strong showing, those who want our country to retain traditional values and always support our men and women in uniform have lapsed into lethargy.  For Americans to continue in such a downtrodden state bodes ill for our country to remain proud and united. To help rally those who feel dispirited, Eagles Up! has launched The Patriot Event Network.  It is a simple online calendar designed to share information with all worthy pro-American organizations.  Each organization will have total control over what is scheduled through its own account access.  Visitors to all member sites will be able to view events in their area scheduled by member organizations.

Eagles UP! asks all patriotic organizations to share in the success of bringing our messages to America.  They feel organizations can do this by helping each other.  They have invited any patriotic group to contact them at patriotnet@eaglesup.us

One of the options being considered by veterans groups is to make America’s feeling be felt at the ballot box. One of the most logical choices is to send a strong message to the political professionals by forming a grass roots push to vote AGAINST every incumbent running for office.

What about the “good” officials some ask?  Since, they have failed to stand strong for American values and function as true representatives of the people, they should be tarred with the same brush used on the guiltiest within their ranks.  It is only by attempting to oust all 535 members of Congress that we can ever expect those who seek office to return to their constitutional role of representing the people.

Of course, for any of this to happen the voters must turn their backs on those who buy votes in their districts and states with everyone’ tax dollars.  Instead of the bounty we may receive, all of us will need to accept the premise that our elected officials are brought into office swearing to uphold the Constitution. We do not need them to cry patriot, yet again.  We need to replace them all with leaders who will truly practice patriotism.

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Wounded Warriors Deserve Retention Not Bonus Repayment

Harlingen, Texas, November 21, 2007: Another case of a wounded and disabled soldier being told to return his reenlistment bonus was reported in today’s news.  This has happened frequently enough to be a considered nothing less than despicable and shameful conduct on the part of the Department of Defense.  Because these Young Lions give of their blood and bodies in the service of their nation and are no longer considered fit to wear the uniform…. they are charged with not fulfilling their enlistment contract.

That they are not fulfilling that contract is not due to their neglect or violation of their oath to serve, but because their own country has determined they can no longer serve on active duty.  Because of someone else’s determination, these servicemen and women are being told to repay the government thousands of dollars. Has anyone ever heard of any government decision more stupid?

If you look back into the history of warfare and military services, you will find countless cases of those with disabilities continuing to serve in uniform.  It was common in the German Army of World War II.  Russian soldiers of that war also remained in active service after receiving disabling wounds.

During World War II the United States used women to fill the positions of men in non-combat positions.  This allowed the able bodied men to serve in more hazardous locales.  It seems logical that a similar approach could be used today, only now we could shift our actions away from gender specific assignments and consider relieving both men and women filling non combat related positions with those who have suffered disabling wounds.  There are many of these young men and women who would prefer to remain in uniform and contribute in some fashion to the readiness of their branch of the armed forces.

Granted, there are those who have been so severely wounded that they can do little in the way of continued service.  That should be understood …and they should NEVER be ordered to repay any monies.  However, there are hundreds of service personnel who could be retrained to fill the positions of computer operators, telephone service personnel, drivers, administrators, food service personnel, health service personnel, or communications.

There are those among our wounded warriors who already have training suitable for many of these positions.  They could be used in religious services, public affairs, finance, legal services and intelligence.  Others could be trained to handle electronic maintenance, supply, and logistics, broadcasting…and even as journalists.

The United States government has always been known for its blundering politicos and a military establishment with acute tunnel vision.  They should at least attempt to shake off some of their brain cobwebs in Washington and look at the vast number of human beings they are attempting to make into waste products when these same individuals could be used as productive members of the military team.  The disabled soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine filling a non combat role would free others who are now needed to maintain a strong volunteer force fighting two separate wars.  Along with that Mr. Bean Counter, they would be completing their contract and you would have no reason to ask them to return bonuses.

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